Lesson Plan | Traditional Methodology | Textuality: Cohesion and Coherence

Objectives

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of cohesion and coherence, preparing them for a deeper understanding of the linguistic resources that contribute to textuality. This initial understanding is crucial for students to later identify and effectively use the different mechanisms of cohesion and coherence in their own texts.

Main Objectives

1. Understand the concepts of textual cohesion and coherence.

2. Recognize and use resources for referential and semantic cohesion.

3. Identify and apply mechanisms for representing different voices in texts.

Introduction

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of cohesion and coherence, preparing them for a deeper understanding of the linguistic resources that contribute to textuality. This initial understanding is crucial for students to later identify and effectively use the different mechanisms of cohesion and coherence in their own texts.

Context

To begin the lesson on textuality, cohesion, and coherence, it is essential to contextualize students on the importance of these concepts in written communication. Explain that textuality is what makes a text perceived as a meaningful unit, and that cohesion and coherence are fundamental elements to ensure this unit. Cohesion refers to the linguistic elements that connect parts of the text, while coherence relates to the logic and consistency of the ideas presented. This is fundamental for texts to make sense and be understandable to the reader.

Curiosities

Did you know that cohesion and coherence are used in all forms of written communication, from text messages and social media posts to books and scientific articles? Without these elements, it would be very difficult to understand what someone is trying to say. Imagine a book where events are not connected or an email without a logical sequence. Cohesion and coherence are essential for any type of text to be clearly and effectively understood.

Development

Duration: (40 - 50 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to deepen students' understanding of cohesion and coherence, providing practical examples and questions that help them identify and use these resources in texts. This understanding is fundamental for them to apply these concepts in their own writing, ensuring clarity and logic in written communication.

Covered Topics

1. Definition of Cohesion and Coherence: Explain in detail what cohesion and coherence are. Cohesion refers to the linguistic elements that connect parts of the text, such as pronouns, conjunctions, and synonyms. Coherence is related to the internal logic of the text, ensuring that ideas are well-organized and make sense with each other. 2. Resources for Referential Cohesion: Address the use of pronouns, synonyms, and other forms of reference that help link different parts of the text. Exemplify with short sentences, showing how these tools are used to avoid repetitions and maintain the fluency of the text. 3. Semantic Resources: Explain the concepts of synonymy, antonymy, and homonymy. Give clear examples of each, showing how they contribute to the cohesion and coherence of the text. For instance, show how substituting words with synonyms can enrich a text and avoid unnecessary repetitions. 4. Mechanisms for Representing Different Voices: Address how different viewpoints and narrative voices can be incorporated into a text to make it more dynamic and interesting. Explain how the use of direct and indirect speech, for example, can contribute to cohesion and coherence.

Classroom Questions

1. Identify the referential and semantic cohesion resources in the following excerpt: 'Maria went to the market. She bought fruits and vegetables. Then, she returned home satisfied with her purchases.' 2. Rewrite the following paragraph using synonyms to avoid repetitions: 'The boy took the book. The book was old. The boy liked the book very much.' 3. Explain how cohesion and coherence are important for the understanding of a text. Give examples of how the lack of these elements can hinder reading.

Questions Discussion

Duration: (30 - 35 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate students' understanding of the concepts of cohesion and coherence, allowing them to apply and reflect on the knowledge acquired during the lesson. Discussion and exchange of ideas help to solidify content and clarify any doubts, ensuring that students can use these resources effectively in their own writing.

Discussion

• Identify the referential and semantic cohesion resources in the following excerpt: 'Maria went to the market. She bought fruits and vegetables. Then, she returned home satisfied with her purchases.'

  Referential Cohesion: 'She' refers to 'Maria'. 'Her purchases' refer to the 'fruits and vegetables' she bought. Semantic Cohesion: The logical sequence of actions (going to the market, buying, returning home) maintains the coherence of the text.

• Rewrite the following paragraph using synonyms to avoid repetitions: 'The boy took the book. The book was old. The boy liked the book very much.'

  Rewritten: 'The kid took the volume. The work was ancient. He liked the edition very much.' Synonyms Used: Boy → Kid, Book → Volume, book/volume → Work/Edition, old → Ancient.

• Explain how cohesion and coherence are important for the understanding of a text. Give examples of how the lack of these elements can hinder reading.

  Cohesion and coherence are essential to ensure that parts of a text are connected and make sense together. Without cohesion, the text may seem disconnected and difficult to follow. Without coherence, the ideas may not logically relate, making the text confusing. For example, if a paragraph abruptly changes subject without a clear connection, the reader may get lost.

Student Engagement

1. Ask students: 'What other pronouns could be used to replace 'Maria' in the first example?' 2. Request students to 'give examples of other synonyms that could be used in the rewrite of the second paragraph.' 3. Propose that students 'read a paragraph from a text they know well and identify elements of cohesion and coherence present.' 4. Encourage a discussion about 'moments when they struggled to understand a text and how the lack of cohesion and coherence might have contributed to that.' 5. Ask students to 'explain why they think cohesion and coherence are important in different types of texts (for example, narrative, descriptive, argumentative).'

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to review and consolidate the main concepts addressed during the lesson, ensuring that students understand the importance of cohesion and coherence in text construction. This moment of summary and reflection helps to solidify content, clarifies any remaining doubts, and reinforces the practical application of the discussed concepts.

Summary

• Definition of textual cohesion and coherence.
• Resources for referential cohesion, such as pronouns and synonyms.
• Semantic resources such as synonymy, antonymy, and homonymy.
• Mechanisms for representing different voices, including direct and indirect speech.

The lesson connected theory with practice by providing clear definitions and practical examples of the concepts of cohesion and coherence, as well as activities that allowed students to identify and apply these resources in texts. This helped to consolidate theoretical understanding with practical application, facilitating the application of the concepts learned in their own writing.

Understanding and applying cohesion and coherence is crucial for effective communication, whether in school essays, text messages, or even social media posts. These elements ensure that ideas are conveyed clearly and logically, facilitating reader comprehension. The ability to write cohesive and coherent texts is a valuable skill that students will carry throughout their lives, improving their communication in various situations.